Summer Youth Program Connections & Updates
Dear Friend,
We have a handful of reminders about upcoming opportunities and ways to be involved. Read below for upcoming events, assessments, and more!
Calling all directors! Sign up & join us April 15 for our Director Mixer
The Summer Camp Director Mixer provides an excellent opportunity for camp directors to connect, network, and engage in meaningful conversations with their peers. Attendees will enjoy a relaxed and welcoming atmosphere where they can share experiences, exchange ideas, and discuss trends. The event also features great food, fostering a casual and enjoyable environment for building relationships within the camp community. Overall, this mixer is a valuable gathering that strengthens local connections and encourages collaboration among summer camp directors.
We have a variety of FREE trainings coming up so your staff can serve youth better every day
Rookie Boot Camp aims to prepare new counselors and employees for their roles in ensuring a safe, fun, and enriching experience for campers. Topics include an introduction to camp culture, training within policies, child development, behavior management, activity planning, and team building with leadership development. We have in-person sessions May 27, May 29, and June 3.
For the first year, we are also offering a Spanish-speaking version of Rookie Boot Camp on June 5.
CPR Training: This training will go through key steps and considerations for CPR such as scene safety and minimizing interruptions. As a reminder, there is an online course that has to be completed before attending the in-person portion to complete your CPR certification.
All youth workers funded by Youth Working for Indy funds are required to attend one of MCCOY’s Rookie Boot Camp youth worker training sessions. These training sessions help young people prepare for the world of work and learn essential skills for youth programming.
LEARN MORE ABOUT ALL OUR UPCOMING PROGRAMS >>
Save the Dates:
Learning Day & Excellence in Summer Service Awards
Beyond our initial programming, there are other important dates to keep in mind throughout the summer as well.
We celebrate Summer Learning Day
MCCOY is hosting Summer Learning Day at The Children’s Museum of Indianapolis on June 25. SYPF organizations can bring their youth FREE to The Children’s Museum in our annual celebration acknowledging the critical role that summer programs play in the development of a child. Space is limited, so plan ahead! Look for the registration in our next newsletter.
We celebrate youth on your team with the Excellence in Summer Service Awards
Keep an eye out this summer for nominations for our annual ESSA awards, held August 21 at the Hall of Champions and the NCAA Museum in Indianapolis. Every year, MCCOY celebrates exceptional youth serving on SYPF teams by awarding $1000 to 20+ high school/college youth who work or volunteer in a Summer Youth Program. We will launch this program and open the application process early this summer.
Update Your Information
Personalized evaluation and support for your youth program
This year we’ve moved to a new platform to share all the wonderful things you’re doing on the Summer Youth Program website, and we advertise in the community to spread the word. We’re actively publishing more programs every day to the Findhelp platform, but you can help make this process faster by filling out a brief form.
Going forward, there will be additional ways you can utilize the Findhelp platform for Summer Youth Programs, Youth Working for Indy, and beyond. We’ll be sharing more ways to be involved as the summer progresses, so stay tuned!
Stay informed!
If you are not the primary director of the Summer Youth Program, please have the appropriate director fill out our SYPF Grantee Contact Form so they can be added to our list and receive essential updates for Summer Youth Program Fund benefits and events.
SUBMIT YOUR PROGRAM DIRECTOR’S CONTACT INFO HERE >>
More Summer Notes
Gleaners’ Summer Meals for Kids
As a 2025 Indy Summer Youth Program (ISYP) site, you are most likely aware of the increasing need to provide food for youth during the summer. With this in mind, ISYP sites serving youth from low-income households are invited to consider participating in Gleaners’ Summer Meals for Kids program. This program, offered by Gleaners Food Bank of Indiana with funding from Lilly Endowment, provides weekly meal boxes and produce during the summer months for participating ISYP youth.
If you have interest in participating in Gleaners’ Summer Meals for Kids program, please reach out to Margo Takehara (mtakehara@gleaners.org) and return the corresponding paperwork by Friday, May 16. Please ensure that your coordinator’s contact information is listed, along with the name of your organization. Gleaners will accommodate on a first-come, first-serve basis until full capacity is reached. If you are not the correct contact for the completion of these documents, please forward this message to the appropriate person and copy Margo Takehara so Gleaners’ records can be updated accordingly.
To access the required documents needed for submission, please use the links below:
• 2025 Summer Meals for Kids Program Agreement
• 2025 Summer Meals for Kids Program and Product Delivery Info Sheet
• 2025 Summer Meals for Kids Program Info PowerPoint
Personalized evaluation and support for your youth program
MCCOY’s goal with a summer assessment is to observe and evaluate various aspects of your camp, including safety protocols, activity engagement, staff performance, and overall camper satisfaction. By doing so, MCCOY aims to provide valuable feedback that can help you continue to offer an exceptional camp experience.
Our assessment process includes:
• Observational Studies: Monitoring daily activities, staff interactions, and camper engagement.
• Interviews and Surveys: Gathering feedback from campers, staff, and parents to gain a holistic view of the camp’s strengths and areas for improvement.
• Safety and Facility Review: Ensuring that all facilities and activities meet the highest safety standards.
• Final Report: Compiling our findings into a comprehensive report with actionable recommendations.
Assessment can offer fresh insights and help you enhance the overall quality of your camp. We are flexible with scheduling and can work around your camp’s timetable to ensure minimal disruption.
